UCSB vs. USF

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA with University of San Francisco in San Francisco, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); University of San Francisco is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Barbara 17:1; University of San Francisco 11:1.

UCSB vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSB or USF? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Santa Barbara than USF ($17,658 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Francisco are 2.5% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($19,764 vs. $20,279).
• University of San Francisco is 268.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $44,078 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.5% higher at USF than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $9,878 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at University of California Santa Barbara (95% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 40.6% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($34,723 vs. $24,695).

UCSB vs. USF Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSB or USF? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USF and UCSB.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 60 points higher than at USF (1290).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Barbara 28/34; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSB - Test-free; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSB Nov 30, 2026; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSB students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at USF (3.57).
• USF has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UCSB vs. 6% at USF.

UCSB vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSB and USF? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California Santa Barbara's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than University of San Francisco's (70%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $11,400 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $8,549 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($16,451 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($170 vs. $258).
• More USF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.